Democrat Patrick Madden declares victory in the race for Troy mayor. Tanja Rekhi was at Ryan's Wake when he and his supporters learned the news and has his reaction.
TROY, N.Y. -- For three decades, Patrick Madden has served the neighborhoods of Troy. Come January, the executive director of a Troy rehabilitation and improvement program will be in a new office.
"First order of business is getting control of our finances," said Troy Mayor-Elect Patrick Madden.
The new mayor, looking forward to doing more in the place he calls home after winning a race that has been close from the start. Working Families candidate and city council president Rodney Wiltshire brought in 24 percent of the votes.
"I'm going to work very hard with the rest of my council to get a fair tax increase. We can't do 9.3 percent; we gotta bring that down and prepare the city for the next incoming council and administration that's doing to take over," said Wiltshire.
And although Madden won as mayor, the Republicans won city council -- 6 to 3. Madden saying he's ready and willing to work across party lines.
"In my job I worked with 15 city councils, 3 mayors, 4 city managers, and I've gotten stuff done with all of them it doesn't really matter to me what party somebody is in. If they're willing to work, I'll work with them," Madden said.
And lots of work needs to be done- according to republican Jim Gordon.
"The days of lack of priority, the days of misspending and the god awful politics that the democrats bring will be brought to an end because we have some fins individuals who mush got elected and I appreciate their hard work," said former mayoral candidate Jim Gordon.
Meanwhile the man who will lead the city over the next four years says he will waste no time getting to work.
“Tonight we celebrate, tomorrow we get moving on priorities," he said.